(CelebrityAccess) — John Barbata, a drummer who carried out with legendary bands similar to The Turtles, Jefferson Airplane, and Crosby Stills and Nash, has died. He was 79.

His passing was confirmed by an announcement from his former band, Jefferson Airplane, who shared: Relaxation in Peace, John Barbata, a legendary drummer for Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship. Recognized for his distinctive expertise, John left his mark on the music world by taking part in with bands similar to The Turtles, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Younger, Jefferson Airplane, and Jefferson Starship. Again in ’72, throughout a hiatus for CSN&Y, David Crosby launched John to the Airplane, who employed John immediately. You possibly can hear John’s drumming expertise on the band’s remaining studio album, LONG JOHN SILVER, in addition to the stay album THIRTY SECONDS OVER WINTERLAND.”

A New Jersey Native, Barbata relocated to Southern California whereas he was nonetheless a teen and earned a fame as a drummer taking part in with bands such because the Velvatones, the Ambassadors, and The Sentinels, who scored a #1 hit in “Latin’ia” in 1962.

In 1966, Barbata joined The Turtles, entering into the opening within the band’s lineup left by the departure Joel Larson in 1966, recording hits similar to “Pleased Collectively” and “She’d Reasonably Be with Me.”

4 years later, Barbata was invited to hitch Crosby, Stills, Nash & Younger, following the departure of Dallas Taylor. He went on to play on eight albums with numerous configurations of CSNY and members of the group, together with the stay album 4 Means Avenue, which went to #1 on the Billboard 200.

In 1972, after declining a job with The Eagles, Barbata signed on with Jefferson Airplane, changing dummer Joey Covington within the lineup. He remained with the group till 1968 when he suffered a critical automobile crash that he spent greater than a 12 months recovering from.

Barbata retired from his profession as an expert musician in 1983 and constructed a home and recording studio in Northern California. He married Angela Evans and the 2 launched a pair of albums collectively.

Barbata and Evans had a daughter, Leah, collectively. She preceded him in dying in 2016.